Apr 3, 2006

Boort's Non-Apology

So that right-wing talk radio show host that I've never heard of "apologized" for calling McKinney a "ghetto slut." Although, it only sounds like 25% apology and 75% snark to me:

Actually, I should be horsewhipped for saying something stupid that allowed, to some extent, the attention to shift from the wrongdoing of Cynthia McKinney to my ill-chosen words. The issue here is not how one would define Cynthia McKinney's hairstyle. The issue is whether or not Cynthia McKinney assaulted a law enforcement officer who was merely trying to do his sworn duty. Contrast, if you would, my apology with that of Cynthia McKinney. McKinney has only said that she "regrets" that the incident happened. That is not an apology. So far as I've heard there has not been one "I'm sorry." Instead, McKinney stages a news conference Friday afternoon featuring two of premiere Hollywood leftist jackasses, Danny Glover and Harry Belafonte, two men fresh from their recent appearance giving aid and comfort to America-hater Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. So, there is Cynthia McKinney, standing there with two men who have said some mighty foul things about our country and our president, accusing a police officer of being a racist because he didn't recognize her when she circumvented a screening station. That man spends his days protecting McKinney and her colleagues; and she thanks him by calling him a racist for merely doing his job. Let's see if Cynthia can eventually stand up and apologize for being a fool. I just did. It really doesn't hurt all that much.

I'm glad he addressed the stupidity of his comments, but I am really disappointed because really, it's only a half-hearted apology. He had to bring race into it (AND call her a slut). And if he really wants McKinney to be held accountable for her actions, he should have never, ever brought up her hair. I don't care how well he knows her personally - racism is still alive and well in this country, and by his comments, he's taken us a step in the wrong direction.

Honestly, I don't know how I feel. As the child of immigrants, I can't help but feel offended by his comments against folks flying flags other than the American flag, his statements about immigration, etc.

I also am uncomfortable with him editorializing - unless he has made the move from journalist to pundit, in which case, really, what can be done, since he would be given carte blanche to run his mouth about whatever topic he sees fit to talk about. He's just another screaming head on the TV.

I haven't been following the current immigration-related skirmishes lately, to be honest. I do believe something needs to be done to address the illegal immigration issue in this country. But how can we even begin to address this issue, when we can't even secure our own ports from WMDs or terrorist infiltration?